The combined effect of earlier retirement and living longer means that many Australians will spend more than a quarter of their life in retirement. While this sounds like good news, it does emphasise the importance of planning carefully - and well in advance - for your retirement.

Common questions to consider

How much do I need to retire on?

When can I access my super?

What are my options when I retire?

Will I pay tax on my super if I take a lump sum?

Is there any benefit in taking my superannuation as an income stream?

Am I eligible for the Age Pension?

How does the Income Test affect eligibility for the Age Pension?

How does the Assets Test affect eligibility for the Age Pension?

What does Centrelink mean by "deeming"?

Why are income streams treated differently?

What are the different types of income streams?

We can help:

Establish when you want to retire and look at how much you need, or work out when you can retire based on your plans.

If you've already retired, or maybe you are at retirement age but you don't feel you're ready to give up work altogether. If you're eligible for the Age Pension, the government offers incentives for working people to defer claiming it.

On the other hand, if you've independently funded your retirement, you may benefit from keeping track of, or restructuring, your finances so you maximize any government entitlement.

Common questions to consider

I've already retired. Isn't it just about living off what I've managed to save now?

I have been retired for two years. Isn't it too late to change my financial arrangements?

What is the Pension Bonus Scheme?

What are the eligibility requirements for the Pension Bonus Scheme?

How much is the Pension Bonus Scheme and when is it paid?

Apart from social security benefits, are we eligible for anything else now we've retired?

Daniel Boce, trading as Lifestyle Solutions Financial Planning, ABN 44 870 985 986 is an Authorised Representative of SYNCHRON (Australian Financial Services Licence No. 243313). Regan Welburn is an employee of Daniel Boce and is also an Authorised Representative of SYNCHRON ( Australian Financial Services Licence No. 243313. This website contains general information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the appropriateness of the information in light of your personal circumstances.